Charlotte wins 42-39 in a tight shootout
Charlotte’s offense exploded in the win over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in a game where Charlotte had 559 yards of total offense. This was really a different script than last week against Georgia State where the offense was only able to put up seven points.
Photo creditChris Crews via Twitter (@PsychoticWolf)
Chris Reynolds had 339 yards passing on 25 completions. Along with this he also totaled four passing touchdowns as well as a one-yard touchdown rush in the closing minutes of the contest. Reynolds moved into the number one spot in all-time touchdown passes in this game as well.
Running back Calvin Camp totaled 101 yards rushing on just 12 carries coming out to an 8.4 yard per rush average. This was Camp’s first 100-yard rushing game of his career. Shadrick Byrd had 14 carries and totaled 72 yards to compliment Camp’s performance.
“Response is something we talked about all week,” head coach Will Healy said after the game. After the offense had an off game against Georgia State a week ago, it was all about how the team responded to that, and Healy thinks they did a good job.
“Tonight wasn’t always pretty,” Healy added about this game. There were times where the defense would miss things leading to a Blue Raider score. These are things that will continue to be worked on and continue to be improved upon.
Players of the Game
Quarterback, Chris Reynolds: It really does not need much explanation when a guy goes 25/36 for 339 yards and four touchdowns in the air, one on the ground, that he will be on the players of the game list. Reynolds did a really great job in this game top to bottom. Are there a few things to polish up? Probably so, but overall he had an incredible game. There were a couple of errant throws that could have been intercepted, but the good definitely outweighed the bad tonight for Reynolds.
Wide Receiver, Grant DuBose: He burst onto the scene against Duke to start the season, and again tonight he reminded everyone why Healy chose him over power five prospects that the team had workout for them. DuBose had nine receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns. One of his biggest non-scoring plays was on Calvin Camp’s long touchdown rush. DuBose sealed a downfield block giving Camp all the room he needed to operate and get into the endzone.
Photo creditChris Crews via Twitter (@PsychoticWolf)
What is next for the 49ers?
Charlotte will be taking a little road trip over the next few weeks making stops in Illinois and Florida back-to-back weekends as they play the Illinois Fighting Illini followed by taking on the Florida International Panthers. The team will get a much-needed break after these games before returning home to take on Florida Atlantic on October 21st.
This road trip will be a good test for the team as they won’t have the “electric” student section behind them. It will take grit and determination to come home 5-1, but it can be done. Healy will have his troops ready to go, and they hope to come back to Charlotte 5-1 and 2-0 in conference play.